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Cyber Security: How to Stay Away From Cyber Attacks and Breaches

Aug

30

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Monday, August 30, 2021

A Message from Patrick Criss, Director, Information Security Operations

At a time when we are more connected than ever, being “cyber smart” is of the utmost importance. This year has already seen more than a fair share of attacks and breaches. Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated with more evolved bad actors cropping up each day.

Here are a few tips on how to mitigate risks and stay one step ahead of malefactors:

Email Security Safeguards

• DO double check each email prior to sending it to ensure no unintended email address are added in any recipient fields (e.g., “TO”, “CC”, “BCC”, etc.) and that no highly restricted data is attached.
• DO NOT reply to emails or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information. No one at the College should ever ask you to submit personal information or credentials via return email or by clicking on a link.
• DO look closely at links embedded in an email by hovering your mouse/pointer over it and cut and paste a link from the email into your web browser. Scammers can make links look as though they go to a safe site but will send you to a harmful website.
• DO report potential phishing emails, or any suspicious email, to the service desk team. Please use the built-in feature in Outlook (desktop or web app) for reporting phishing emails. Learn how to report phishing/suspicious email in Outlook.
• DO NOT click on links in an email message or open file attachments from an unsolicited email.
• DO confirm the source by contacting the sender before opening email attachments.

 Secure Computing Safeguards

• DO NOT leave your workstation unattended.
• DO use anti-malware/anti-virus software and update it frequently to keep malicious programs off your computer.
• DO follow best practices to protecting your information while using Wi-Fi. Learn how to protect your information while using Wi-Fi.
• DO run the most up-to-date versions of your web browser, browser plug-ins (e.g., Adobe Flash, Java), email software and other programs.
• DO NOT download programs, documents, applets, and/or images from unreliable and unknown sources; your download may contain malicious software.

If you have any questions, please contact the OIT Service Desk at oitservicedesk@valenciacollege.edu or by phone at 407-299-5000, extension 5555.

Related Tags: cybersecurity, oit